1
as in separating
to set or force apart
volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diverging
to go or move in different directions from a central point
the group divided based on those who wanted to go swimming and those who didn't
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of dividing
The first, a, is obtained by dividing the year number by 19 and calculating the remainder.
—
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
This was due to the fact that there were so many credible Democrats dividing the 65% to 70% of voters who at least lean left.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
However, secrets and drama looming at the edges of the dinner table spill over into conversation accidentally, dividing the friend group and causing certain friendships and relationships to get a closer look under the microscope.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The county is dividing its voter data network between the board and the recorder and splitting the computer specialists needed to keep the system working as part of a still-unfinished deal between the parties.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
And in late February, just as attention began to shift away from Gaza, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran—a potentially epochal war that may end up dividing Jewish Americans no less than the Gaza war did, particularly if the conflict drags on and casualties mount.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
The subsequent deterioration in embryos that had been in microgravity for up to 24 hours was likely due to negative effects the absence of gravity has on the processes taking place in the quickly dividing embryonic cells.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Republicans are pushing to expel her from Congress, potentially dividing Democrats ahead of November midterm elections.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
In virtually staged listing photos, the floorboards are black and polished, the walls are white, and, in lieu of a wall dividing the bedroom from the living and dining, there are custom double-sided bookshelves just shy of the roughly 13-foot ceiling.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 26 Mar. 2026
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
This was due to the fact that there were so many credible Democrats dividing the 65% to 70% of voters who at least lean left.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
However, secrets and drama looming at the edges of the dinner table spill over into conversation accidentally, dividing the friend group and causing certain friendships and relationships to get a closer look under the microscope.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
The county is dividing its voter data network between the board and the recorder and splitting the computer specialists needed to keep the system working as part of a still-unfinished deal between the parties.
—Amanda Luberto, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
And in late February, just as attention began to shift away from Gaza, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran—a potentially epochal war that may end up dividing Jewish Americans no less than the Gaza war did, particularly if the conflict drags on and casualties mount.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
The subsequent deterioration in embryos that had been in microgravity for up to 24 hours was likely due to negative effects the absence of gravity has on the processes taking place in the quickly dividing embryonic cells.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Republicans are pushing to expel her from Congress, potentially dividing Democrats ahead of November midterm elections.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
In virtually staged listing photos, the floorboards are black and polished, the walls are white, and, in lieu of a wall dividing the bedroom from the living and dining, there are custom double-sided bookshelves just shy of the roughly 13-foot ceiling.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dividing
Verb
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One thing to keep in mind is that the bathrooms are open-concept, flowing into the bedroom and living area with no door separating the sink/vanity.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And the optimization discipline to match it —Agentic Web Optimization — is already separating winners from the rest.—
Aviv Shamny,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Analysts say the targeting of universities, and Iran’s threats of retaliation against academic institutions abroad, point to a widening conflict and potentially diverging objectives among the parties involved.—
Adam Pourahmadi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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The survey demonstrated residents had diverging views on what McCarty’s ballot measure hoped to address.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The map slices through Kansas City, splitting the city’s voters across three Republican-leaning districts.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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After splitting the first pair of contests, Toronto clinched the regular-season series 2-1 over Orlando.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since parting, Shabaka has performed mononymously as a solo flautist and Skinner joined members of Radiohead to form the offshoot band the Smile.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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The different hair parting methods has sparked a generational debate online.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The moratorium, passed on an emergency basis and in a divided vote, would prevent Pepco from disconnecting customers’ electricity for nonpayment of bills totaling less than $1,000.—
Meagan Flynn,
Washington Post,
31 Mar. 2026
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The emails ask the user to take some kind of action, such as disconnecting or locking their vault.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
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Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dividing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dividing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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